Clegg's apology, a busy week in the constituency and a festival against racism - all part of my week ahead

START THE WEEK Monday 24th September - Parliament is in recess this week for the Liberal Democrat Conference, in which Nick Clegg seems intent on digging himself deeper into the hole that he's created for his Party. His 'apology' (see my views below) for making his promise on tuition fees, but not for breaking it, glossed over the key point - that he knew he had no intention of keeping the pledge even as he was using it to secure all those student votes. And his pledge to press for the wealthy to pay more tax looks just as disingenuous from someone who led his Party in support of the Tories' tax cut for millionaires.  

I'm making the most of having a week in Sheffield. This morning I'll be at Sheffield Hallam University meeting new students at the Union's Welcome Fair (last week I was doing the same at the University of Sheffield). Both universities are in my constituency, and almost 32,000 of their students live here, and make a huge contribution to the city. On Wednesday I'll be joining up with my colleague Shabana Mahmood, Labour's Shadow Higher Education Minister, who is launching a tour of UK universities in Sheffield.

I'll also be at an event on Sheffield Children's Hospital's development plans, visiting Manor Post Office to talk about the problems facing local post offices, and catching up with the Chief Executive of the City Council.  Other meetings cover a range of issues including the new University Technical College, voter registration and Palestine.  I'll also be holding planning meetings with my staff team, who are so important to the work I'm able to do, and holding one of my regular open 'surgeries' for all constituents.

One of the great community organisations based in my constituency is 'Football Unites Racism Divides', who have an international reputation for their work challenging racism. On Saturday I'll be going along to their 'Vibes and Unity' festival on Devonshire Green, bringing together sport and music in a great afternoon of activity.  Afterwards I'll be at Bramall Lane, to see if we can pick up another three points, and then I'll be heading off to Labour Party Conference on Sunday morning.